Verbal Reasoning: Closest and Opposite Meaning Set 2
Verbal Reasoning: Closest and Opposite Meaning Set 2 is a deeper vocabulary practice round on the two meaning-based question types found throughout 11+ verbal reasoning papers, closest in meaning (choosing a synonym) and opposite in meaning (choosing an antonym). This set uses less common headwords and options built with a deliberate near-synonym or near-opposite trap, training pupils to define the given word precisely before scanning the options rather than picking the first vaguely similar-sounding word.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the word in capital letters and put its meaning into your own simple words before looking at any of the options, so you are matching a definition rather than a feeling.
- Check whether the question asks for the closest meaning (a synonym) or the opposite meaning (an antonym), since the two question types use exactly the same format and it is easy to answer the wrong one under time pressure.
- Rule out any option that means roughly the same as the given word when the question asks for an opposite, and any option that means roughly the opposite when the question asks for the closest meaning, since these are the standard traps.
- Rule out options that are simply unrelated in meaning to the given word, even if they sound similar or are a common word.
- Where two options both seem plausible, choose the one that matches the given word's precise meaning and strength, not just its general topic.
- Confirm your final choice by swapping it back into a short sentence in place of the given word, checking that the sentence still makes sense with the same or opposite meaning as intended.
Worked example
Choose the word closest in meaning to METICULOUS. A) careless B) hasty C) thorough D) friendly E) confident
- METICULOUS means extremely careful, precise, and paying great attention to every detail.
- CARELESS is the opposite of meticulous, so rule it out immediately.
- HASTY means done too quickly, which is also close to the opposite of meticulous.
- FRIENDLY and CONFIDENT both describe personality traits unrelated to carefulness or attention to detail.
- THOROUGH means complete and careful, which matches the core meaning of meticulous most closely of the five options.
- Final answer: C) thorough.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Choose the word closest in meaning to RELUCTANT. A) eager B) unwilling C) certain D) careless E) proudShow answer
Answer: B) unwilling - reluctant means not willing to do something, which matches unwilling most closely; eager is close to the opposite.
Q2Choose the word closest in meaning to ANCIENT. A) modern B) young C) age-old D) broken E) rareShow answer
Answer: C) age-old - ancient means extremely old, which matches age-old; modern and young are close to the opposite.
Q3Choose the word closest in meaning to TIMID. A) bold B) shy C) angry D) clever E) tallShow answer
Answer: B) shy - timid means easily frightened or lacking confidence, which matches shy; bold is the opposite.
Q4Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to ABUNDANT. A) plentiful B) scarce C) huge D) common E) freshShow answer
Answer: B) scarce - abundant means existing in large quantities, so its opposite is scarce; plentiful is a synonym, not an opposite.
Q5Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to CAUTIOUS. A) careful B) reckless C) quiet D) slow E) wiseShow answer
Answer: B) reckless - cautious means careful to avoid danger, so its opposite is reckless; careful is a synonym, not an opposite.
Q6Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to GENUINE. A) real B) fake C) rare D) precious E) plainShow answer
Answer: B) fake - genuine means authentic and real, so its opposite is fake; real is a synonym, not an opposite.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to FRUGAL. A) thrifty B) wasteful C) poor D) careful E) mean
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Choose the word closest in meaning to CANDID. A) secretive B) honest C) rude D) shy E) angry
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Two of these four words are closest in meaning to each other, and a third word is opposite in meaning to both of them. Identify the synonym pair and the word opposite to them: BENEVOLENT, HOSTILE, KIND, NEUTRAL.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the verbal reasoning: closest and opposite meaning set 2 worksheet pack - 15 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 17 of 11+ Verbal Reasoning Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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